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Promoting awareness of artists' books

UWE Bristol research has significantly influenced understanding
and appreciation of the artist’s book internationally. This has
brought real benefits for artists, educators, curators and the
general public, through successful events and book sales, advice,
prizes and the establishment of a book arts resource centre.

Bodman and Sowden’s seminal publication, A Manifesto
for the Book, encouraged a wider perception of the
artist’s book in its innovative and traditional formats. A dealer
of artists’ books in the USA says: “I cite the work frequently when
I lecture about both contemporary and historical aspects of
artists’ books to reach the general art going public who may have
never before heard of such a thing.”

Challenging conventional wisdom

This debate on the nature of book arts has challenged
conventional wisdom by promoting innovative artistic practice
alongside traditional skills - artists’ books can be made
using knit or fine binding and can also take the form of
performance art, sculpture and hypertext.

The researchers introduced new ways of thinking about artists’
books to an international audience of other artists, collectors and
the public. This was achieved via a mix of academic and artistic
collaborations, including interviews, case studies, exhibitions,
and a major conference.

National and international impact

One of the great strengths of the project has been helping
artists, events organisers and educators, to achieve their
different aims. The impact has been felt internationally as well as
in the UK.

For example, Bodman was invited to curate a section of books by
British artists for the 9th Polish Book Art Festival, which
showcased international artists. Her selection of 42 artists’
books, one of which was awarded the jury’s first prize, promoted
works by British artists to a Polish audience.

Bodman and Sowden also gave talks to a book art festival in
Denmark and provided free artists’ books for exhibitions and
workshops. According to the festival organiser: “This attracted
more artist participants from Europe and the USA, and more visits
from the general public, collectors and librarians. This generated
sales for exhibiting artists and further funding for the
festival."

Access to specialist facilities

The UK’s first open-access book arts resource centre, the
London Centre for Book
Arts (LCBA) opened in 2013, inspired by the UWE project’s
case study proposal of a model USA book arts centre, MCBA (Minnesota Center for Book
Arts). Successful from its first day, the Centre continues to
promote book arts and artist-led publishing in the UK through
teaching and access to specialist facilities.

Bodman and Sowden’s influence has been widespread among
practitioners and academics worldwide. South African artist, David
Paton, from the University of Johannesburg says: “My involvement
has had both direct and indirect impact on my work as a teacher, as
well as on my own research in the field of artists’ books.”

Exhibit for an international audience

Bodman and Sowden are co-organising
Bristol Artist’s Book Event (BABE) 2015 in collaboration with
the Arnolfini Gallery Bristol. BABE is a
biennial event promoting artists’ books which attracts thousands of
visitors. BABE 2015 will exhibit books by 98 national and
international artists, publishers and presses.